Appleton's History Museum a finalist for national honor

The exhibit featuring the history of the Outagamie County Asylum for the Chronic Insane has been drawing visitors to the History Museum at the Castle since late 2016.(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

APPLETON - A museum in downtown Appleton is in line for a major national honor.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has announced that Appleton's History Museum at the Castle is among the 29 finalists for the 2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

Green Bay's National Railroad Museum is also among the finalists.

The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to their communities. For 24 years, the award has celebrated institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service.

Matt Carpenter, executive director of the History Museum at the Castle, called the nomination a huge honor.

“Such a prestigious award affirms the important work we have done and further validates the histories of the under-represented citizens whose experiences and cooperation made these exhibits possible,” he said in a released statement.

The History Museum at the Castle is being recognized for its efforts to highlight three often overlooked segments of the local community — African Americans, the homeless, and those with mental illnesses. The museum created a “pop-up exhibit” on African American history titled "A Stone of Hope: Black Experiences in the Fox Cities." Another exhibit, "(In)Visible: Homelessness in Appleton," looked at issues that hinder at-risk individuals and families. And the museum’s current exhibit, "Asylum: Out of the Shadows," explores the history of the Outagamie County Asylum for the Chronic Insane.

“The 29 National Medal finalists showcase the tremendous ability of libraries and museums to serve as vital community resources,” said IMLS Director Kathryn K. Matthew.

IMLS is encouraging community members who have visited the History Museum at the Castle and the National Railroad Museum to share their stories on social media at www.facebook.com/USIMLS or www.twitter.com/us_imls and use #IMLSmedals.

National Medal winners will be announced later this spring. Representatives from winning institutions will be honored at the National Medal Ceremony on May 24 in Washington, D.C.